Kings County’s latest coronavirus surge again fueled by Avenal State Prison outbreak

Kings County reported another large surge of positive results for the coronavirus Sunday, again driven by the outbreak at Avenal State Prison.

The Department of Public Health in Hanford reported 376 more cases of COVID-19, with 373 of those from state correctional facilities. In addition, the county reported one more coronavirus-related fatality, raising the death toll there to five.

Kings County’s total case count is 1,122, third in the central Valley, with 304 patients having recovered. Of the total cases, 619 have been at the state prisons in Avenal and Corcoran.

A week ago, the county’s case count jumped by 130, with 115 of those at the Avenal prison.

The state’s running count of coronavirus in its prison system shows Avenal with 592 active cases among inmates still in custody. There are 1,701 active cases among incarcerated inmates statewide.

Four Avenal inmates were released while still positive.

Around the Valley

Merced County reported 12 new cases Sunday, increasing its total to 295. Recoveries remained at 190 as did deaths at seven.

Madera County reported two more cases, increasing its total to 106. Seventy-six patients have recovered there and two have died.

Fresno County did not post a Sunday update and remained at 1,743 cases, 542 recoveries and 35 deaths.

Mariposa County through Friday had 16 cases, 14 recoveries and one death.

Tulare County, which no longer updates its totals on wekends or holidays, has 1,844 cases to lead the six-county central San Joaquin Valley, with 912 recoveries and 84 deaths.